What really makes us happy?

What really makes us happy?

Brock Bastian

is a social psychologist whose research focuses on pain, happiness, and morality.

In his search for a new perspective on what makes for the good life, Brock Bastian has studied why promoting happiness may have paradoxical effects; how pain promotes pleasure, social connection, and ultimately greater fulfilment in life; and what factors determine our moral sensitivities to humans, animals, and the environment. His first book, The Other Side of Happiness, will be published in January 2018.

New Book

New Book

The Other Side of Happiness: Embracing a More Fearless Approach to Living

Our addiction to positivity and the pursuit of pleasure is actually making us miserable. Brock Bastian shows that, without some pain, we have no real way to achieve and appreciate the kind of happiness that is true and transcendent.

Featured Work

Featured Work

Recent Talk

Why We Need Pain to Feel Happiness

TEDxStKilda

In this talk, Brock asks us to reflect on the nature of pain, pleasure, and happiness. He urges us to reconsider what really makes us happy, and tells us why we need pain to experience any happiness in life at all.